Commonly Mispronounced Words and Phrases
Proper pronunciation is essential for effective communication, especially when it comes to using the English language. However, even native speakers can find it challenging to correctly pronounce some words and phrases. Mispronouncing words and phrases can lead to misunderstandings and even embarrassment in certain situations.
we have compiled a list of 100 commonly mispronounced words and phrases in English and their correct pronunciations to help you communicate more effectively.
Here are 100 Commonly Mispronounced Words and Phrases in English:
| Word/Phrase | Correct Pronunciation | Definition | Incorrect Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Often | /ˈɒfn/ | Frequently or regularly | /ˈɒf-tən/ |
| Mischievous | /ˈmɪstʃɪvəs/ | Causing trouble in a playful way | /mɪsˈtʃiːviəs/ |
| Nuclear | /ˈnjuːkliər/ | Relating to the nucleus of an atom or atomic energy | /ˈnjuːkjuːlər/ |
| Espresso | /eˈspresəʊ/ | A type of coffee | /ɛkˈsprɛsoʊ/ |
| Pronunciation | /prəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/ | The way a word is spoken | /prɒnʌnˈsiːeɪʃən/ |
| February | /ˈfɛbruːəri/ | The second month of the year | /fɛbˈruːəri/ |
| Sherbet | /ˈʃɜːbət/ | A frozen dessert made with fruit and sugar | /ˈʃɜːbɪt/ |
| Arctic | /ˈɑːktɪk/ | Relating to the North Pole | /ɑːrktɪk/ |
| Library | /ˈlaɪbrəri/ | A place where books are borrowed and read | /ˈlɑɪbri/ |
| Almond | /ˈɑːmənd/ | A type of nut | /ælmənd/ |
| Height | /haɪt/ | The measurement of how tall someone or something is | /hɛɪt/ |
| Ask | /ɑːsk/ | To request information or an answer | /æks/ |
| Meme | /miːm/ | An image or video that is humorous and spread widely on the internet | /meem/ |
| Quinoa | /ˈkiːnwɑː/ | A type of grain | /kɪˈnoʊə/ |
| Comfortable | /ˈkʌmftəbl/ | Feeling physically at ease | /kəmˈfɔːrtəbl/ |
| Candidate | /ˈkændɪdeɪt/ | A person who is running for a job or position | /ˈkændədət/ |
| Sandwich | /ˈsændwɪdʒ/ | Two slices of bread with a filling in between | /ˈsæn(d)wɪtʃ/ |
| Jaguar | /ˈdʒæɡjuə(r)/ | A large, wild cat | /dʒəˈɡwɑːr/ |
| Salmon | /ˈsæmən/ | A type of fish | /ˈsælmən/ |
| Relevant | /ˈrɛləvənt/ | Connected or related to the subject at hand | /rɪˈlɛvənt/ |
| Celtic | /ˈsɛltɪk/ | Relating to the Celts or their culture | /ˈkɛltɪk/ |
| Solder | /ˈsɒldə(r)/ | To join two pieces of metal together with a heated metal alloy | /ˈsəʊldər/ |
| Crayon | /ˈkreɪən/ | A stick of colored wax used for drawing | /kræn/ |
| Envelope | /ˈɛnvələʊp/ | A paper container used to enclose a letter or document | /ˈɒnveləʊp/ |
| Awry | /əˈraɪ/ | Crooked or askew | /əˈraɪə/ |
| Forte | /ˈfɔːteɪ/ | A person’s strong point or area of expertise | /fɔːrt/ |
| Misled | /mɪsˈlɛd/ | Deceived or fooled | /mɪzəld/ |
| Genre | /ˈʒɒnrə/ | A category of artistic work, such as music, literature, or film | /ˈdʒɑːnrə/ |
| Niche | /niːʃ/ | A specialized segment of the market | /nɪtʃ/ |
| Potable | /ˈpəʊtəbl/ | Safe to drink | /ˈpɒtəbl/ |
| Wary | /ˈwɛəri/ | Cautious or watchful | /ˈwɛri/ |
| Pseudonym | /ˈsuːdənɪm/ | A fictitious name used by an author | /ˈsuːdəˌnɪm/ |
| Affect | /əˈfɛkt/ | To produce a change in or influence something | /əˈfekt/ |
| Arduous | /ˈɑːdjʊəs/ | Difficult or tiring | /ɑːˈdjuːəs/ |
| Foliage | /ˈfəʊliɪdʒ/ | The leaves of a plant or tree | /ˈfɒlɪdʒ/ |
| Mispronunciation | /ˌmɪsprəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/ | The incorrect or inaccurate pronunciation of a word | /mɪsproʊˌnaʊnsiˈeɪʃən/ |
| Inventory | /ˈɪnvəntri/ | A complete list of items in stock or on hand | /ˈɪnvəntɔːri/ |
| Sherbet | /ˈʃɜːbət/ | A frozen dessert made with fruit and sugar | /ˈʃɜːbɪt/ |
| Respite | /ˈrɛspʌɪt/ | A short break or period of rest | /ˈrɛspɪt/ |
| Hyperbole | /haɪˈpɜːbəli/ | Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally | /haɪˈpərbəli/ |
| Nonplussed | /nɒnˈplʌst/ | Surprised and unsure how to react | /nɒnˈplʌzd/ |
| Gnocchi | /ˈnɒki/ | Small Italian dumplings made from potato or semolina | /ˈnoʊki/ |
| Albeit | /ɔːlˈbiːɪt/ | Although, even though | /ɔːlˈbeɪɪt/ |
| Mischievous | /ˈmɪstʃɪvəs/ | Causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way | /ˈmɪsˌtʃiːviəs/ |
| Et cetera | /ɛt ˈsɛt(ə)rə/ | Used to represent a list of items that are not specified | /ɛks ˈsɛt(ə)rə/ |
| Melee | /meɪˈleɪ/ | A confused fight or brawl | /ˈmɛli/ |
| Quinoa | /ˈkiːnwɑː/ | A grain-like crop used as a food source | /kwɪˈnoʊə/ |
| Espresso | /ɛˈsprɛsəʊ/ | Strong coffee made by forcing steam through finely ground coffee beans | /eˈspeʃoʊ/ |
| Barbed wire | /ˈbɑːbd ˈwaɪə(r)/ | A type of fencing wire with sharp points | /ˈbɑːbd ˈwaɪɛr/ |
| Epitome | /ɪˈpɪtəmi/ | A perfect example of something | /ɪˈpɪtəʊm/ |
| Prescription | /prɪˈskrɪpʃ(ə)n/ | A written order for medication | /prəˈskrɪpʃ(ə)n/ |
| Pronunciation | /prəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/ | The way in which a word is pronounced | /prəˌnaʊnsiˈeɪʃən/ |
| Supposedly | /səˈpəʊzɪdli/ | According to what is generally assumed or believed | /səˈpəʊzdəli/ |
| Awry | /əˈraɪ/ | Crooked or askew | /əˈraɪə/ |
| Cache | /kæʃ/ | A collection of items that are hidden away | /kæʃeɪ/ |
| Macabre | /məˈkɑːb/ | Disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury | /məˈkɑːbrə/ |
Proper pronunciation is crucial for effective communication in English. Mispronouncing words and phrases can create confusion and misunderstandings, and it can be embarrassing in certain situations. By learning the correct pronunciation of commonly mispronounced words and phrases, you can improve your communication skills and avoid unnecessary mistakes. We hope this guide has been helpful to you and that you can apply this knowledge in your daily communication.
